Felipe Massa to retire from Formula1 after this season

Felipe Massa to retire after this season. Pic www.macaubenselife.com.br
Felipe Massa to retire after this season. Pic www.macaubenselife.com.br

Internet Desk: Winner of 11 Formula1 grands prix Felipe Massa declared this season as his last season. The Williams driver chose to declare the place of his announcement of his retirement at Italy as his former mate Michael Schumacher declared his retirement here.

“After 27 years of my racing career, since I started karting and with 15 years in F1, this will be my last season in F1. … It will be my last eight races in F1 that I will enjoy as much as I can”, said Massa.

The last race of the season in Abu Dhabi will be the 250th of Massa’s career, in which he has driven for Sauber, Ferrari and Williams.

The 35-year-old Brazilian said he chose to make the announcement at the Italian Grand Prix because that was where Schumacher made his retirement announcement a decade ago, which cleared the way for Massa to remain at Ferrari.

“The only way for me to stay was for him to stop,” Massa said. “He chose to give me this option to stay. (Italy) is my second country that I love and I think this is an important place to do this.”

Massa said he had decided “some months ago” to bring his career to an end, adding he was “very proud” to have achieved so much in his career – “more than I ever expected”.

“I managed to achieve my dream and I want to thank everyone who supported me throughout,” he said.

In 14 seasons in Formula1, Massa has claimed 11 wins, 41 podiums and 16 pole positions. He made his debut with Sauber in 2002 and moved to Ferrari in 2006, alongside Schumacher.

Massa came agonizingly close to winning the drivers’ title in 2008, finishing one point behind Lewis Hamilton.